Chemnitz garages - keep your eyes open!
They are 3 m × 6 m × 2.80 m in size, arranged in single or double rows and often grouped together to form larger complexes. Most are made of concrete slabs, some of corrugated iron: garages. Originally built collectively in this form in the former socialist countries, garage yards still characterize the cityscape of many Eastern European cities today.
In Chemnitz, too, there are now an estimated 30,000 garages in all kinds of urban locations. Many are used to park cars or store forgotten family treasures, while others are used for tinkering, barbecuing and chatting with neighbors.
Garages have long been places for private retreats and social gatherings. Start-ups and crazy ideas were born in garages, and numerous bands originated here. But what does the view of society from the garage look like today, what stories do the objects hidden there tell, what knowledge and skills are hidden in the garages and what potential do they have for the future of our cities in times of resource scarcity and an emerging circular economy? The #3000Garagen project also wants to find out together with the participating artists and Chemnitz residents.
![[Translate to Englisch:]](/fileadmin/_processed_/f/7/csm_DSC00234_f25c44485c.jpg "[Translate to Englisch:]")
Culture begins where people shape their environment together and lay the foundations for peaceful, creative coexistence through seemingly banal customs. Garage courtyards are such places - places of community, daily history and creative handicrafts.
Nothing can happen in the garage courtyards without the interest and commitment of the users. from the beginning to the implementation of the projects, #3000Garages is geared towards active participation. Chemnitz 2025 gGmbH organizes the projects and events in the courtyards and then implements them together with interested parties and garage users.
For those who want to delve deeper into the topic, we recommend
- Jens Casper and Luise Rellensmann (eds.): The Garage Manifesto (2021)
- Natalija Yefimkina: Garage People (documentary film, Germany 2020)
- Offener Kanal Magdeburg / Siegfried Söder: Die Garage in der DDR (2009) from the series "Erinnerungen auf 8 mm - Schmalfilme aus der Vergangenheit"
- Gerhard Polt: The Garage (radio play, Germany 2000)
- Eldar Ryazanov: The Garage (Гapaж) (feature film, USSR 1980)
